Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-06-17
ner Of the ranch-honse and toward

The Chinese boy, when they had
passed his place OF concealment,
emerged, ran round the house in the
opposite direction and approached
Uuc!e Jim before the latter saw the
pair.
"Master," whispered he, "hab got
two piece man come. Wantchee
stop this side tonight. More better
you talkee he can no stop. Mi can
secure he b'long lalle-loon man II car
prove that they are ladrones- OF
robbers)."
"Waal, now" said Uncle Jim, "a
didu't never hev no use for cuss
that wears pig-tail anu eats rats
"The Chinese must co. says I. Clea,
out now and 60 washee-washee, OF
whatever you call it,
As All Fong we'll knew, Uncle Jim's
bark was much worse than his bite,
nor YVES there any fear that he would
disregard a warning. The Chinese boy
drew back just as the two rough fel.
lows came in sight. They approached
the piazza and one could seq the look
OF repulsion come on Uncle Jim's ex-
pressive face as his experienced eye
took in the details OF their obnoxious
appe arance. The smaller fellow ad-
vanced as spokesman.
Il allow yer disremember me, Mr..
Boyle" said he, in a voice which he
tried in vain to modulate, and which
contrasted curiously with his un-
ctuous manner, II knowed yer when
yer was a sinkin' q shaft up to Cen
trail, and I was pro-pectin'. My name
is Martin, William Martin; but the
boys all call me Beaver Dam Bill.
This yere's my pard, Mr.. Moses
Smith; him they call Mustang Nose.
Say, Uncle Jim, we allowed ye'd give
US g. shake.down fur the night, fur
we've tramped nigh ON thirty miles
to-day and we're Jest everlastin' ~
played out
Uncle Jim's keen eyes were fixed on
the unwholesome pair; evidently, while
he did not recognize them, somevague
and t1eeting memory was suggested by
their appearance, and he was trying
to fix it clearly in his mind. The
larger OF the two shifted his
weight from one foot to
the other as he glanced away to the
ward, and the spokesman found
himself unable to look the old from
tiersman fairly IN the face Indeed,
his uneasiness was increasing each
moment under the scrutiny to which
he was subjected.
At last Uncle Jim spoke, in slow
tones, and with marked deiiberation.
This yere house ain'o mine," said he,
land the owner he's down to Pueblo.
Ell We keep on the trail thar to the
lett OF the mesa and nigh on three
mile, yell strike Dutch Pete's ranch,
an he's ali fixed to take folks in and
give 'em SONAR meal an g. shake
down. It's right over them trees yon-
Ger, whar We SEE" here he was inter-
rupted.
Fanny Carroll, who had been inside
the house, suddenly came out and
stood on the piazza.
"Oh, Mr.. Boyle" she cried, "do not
let any one be turned away from
these doors. These poor men are
weary and footsore. They must not
be compelled to 90 farther. Let US
give them shelter, and supper and a.
good nights rest"
She made beautiful picture as she
stood there, in q graceful attitude;
with hei yhtened color, eyes sparkling,
rosy lips slightly apart. Uncle Jim's
face relaxed in an instant, and the ef'
tect Of this lovely apparition upon
the two wanderers was marvellous.
Beaver-Dam Bill took off his shabby
hat, shutfled with his feet and made
an attempt TO stammer out his
thanks; and Musing Nose, turning to
look at the exquisite young girl, show
ed his establishment and interest by
complete change of countenance.
Never in all his life OF vicissitude, and
worse than vicissitude, had any one
seen on his face such an expression Of
surprise, then OF almost wondering de-
light; and natural enough, to be sure;
for never in all this same life had he
seen such q sight, much less heard pity
for him expressed in such dulcet tones.
"Waal," said Uncle Jim, "that set
ties it. l allow the young lady's boss.
Here, you pig-tailed Ch:naman, show
these men u place where they can wash
the dust OF Colorayde OFF Of 'enl, and
give 'enl some grub.
All Fong obeyed, with curious re.
luctance, and the two men followed
him, more than once turning to look
over their shoulders!
Then came supper, and some pleas
ant evening hours on the piazza, I'M
der the stars and in the soft air. The
two strangers had supped heartily,
and now sat by themselves. at some
distance from the rest of the party
When Fanny Carroll sang, in her love
~ and well-trained voice, Mustang
Nose took the pipe from his mouth
and let it 60 out as he held it in his
hand. When most OF the inmates OF the
house had retired, Uncle Jim told
All Fong to take the two men to a
chamber at the head Of small stair
way leading from the main room OF
the ranch. The boy obeyed and then
returned to this main room, in which,
on the wide hearth, burned a cheerful
fire OF logs. He approached the stall
wart frontiersnan, who sat before
the fire gazing into its blazing depths.
master" said All Fong, che t'luly
b'long lallee-loon man. Mi hear he
talkee. (They are really robbers. l
heard them talk.)" Uncle Jim look
ed at him gravely.
"Ah Fong Or whatever yer blamed
heather name is, said he, II didn't
never think I'd come to say it to a
Chinee,t but ] wouldn't be surprised ef
her head was level. Now you skip to
bed an I'll stop here. Skip, I.sayp'
All Fong went out, closing the door
behind him but he proceeded no far
tier than the passage, where he
crouched in a corner quiet as a mouse.
In the solitude in which much OF
Uncle Jirn's life was passed, he had
formed a habit OF talking to himself,
as All Fong could now hear hun.
"Knowed me, did he? Perhaps he
did and ,,arh a nc no didn't R,,t 7